“I am in favor of the proposed redevelopment plan for the old Seminary structures and their immediate vicinity at St. Edwards State Park. I am a regular user of the trail system at St. Edwards and do not feel that the development will harm the park experience. These historic structures are an asset to the park. Every effort should be undertaken to maintain their complete structural integrity, and provide public access to the interiors for the first time in decades. In fact, the proposed hospitality functions within the structures will enhance the park experience for all users from across the state and beyond. I live adjacent to the park and use it regularly as I said, but I am fully aware that this is not “my” park. This is a State Park (not a City of Kenmore park) and the state must make the difficult decision to manage this asset for all citizens of Washington State and our out of state guests. The state would not be managing this park for the greater good if decisions are made that allow the Seminary structures to come down. Please, do not let a subgroup of Kenmore residents derail this proposal, they neither represent everyone who lives here now nor those from across the state who might benefit from the proposed changes. Yes, consider traffic, parking and access concerns in the planning but please do move this plan forward. Thank you”

We of course all get to have an opinion on whether the building is an asset or a liability. In response to a couple of your points:
* Once the sale to Daniel’s goes through, it seems that portion will fall under sway of City of Kenmore vs State. i.e. no longer a pure State Park.
* A traffic, parking and access study indeed seems prudent, especially given existing congestion on Juanita. This would be most welcome PRIOR to development vs after. Fear that won’t happen until inevitable problems demand reaction.

I agree with you Cindy Rutstein. I think it would be in the best interest of the state and the people to preserve the building (which is on the Historic Buildings Registry). The spa/hotel itself may bring fresh life into the area and greater value, which can benefit the value of the park and give it long term appeal to the public. Plus, the spa/hotel itself could bring greater economic prosperity and relevance to the area.

Conor. I have been going there over 30 years. Privatizing the grounds would destroy the family friendly relaxed atmosphere of the park. The building would be nice to keep, but the most important is the park itself. What they are actually proposing is to privatize part of the park. Forget the building.

I like the building just fine. But the best thing about St Edward SP is the tranquility of the place, the peace. The building is a backdrop to that as it is. If this deal goes through, that will be forever changed. Commercializing public space is a slippery slope, a dangerous one. If we sell off the core of the park to a developer, what’s next? The Coca Cola symbol on the moon? To make this trade is shortsighted, Washington. Hold out for something that serves all from the 1%ers to the poorest. Why must we perpetuate the Plutocracy of Washington State?

Turning the Seminary building and surrounding grounds into a private hotel would not be good. I have gone to this park since the early 80s when I was attending the nearby Inglemoor High School. This has always been a deeply spiritual place that I have returned to over the years and continue to go there now with my wife and young daughter. Turning it into a private hotel will ruin the vibe of the whole park and close down the play area and also scare away the deer that we saw near the playground.

This is a rare treasure that must not be sold or leased to a private hotel. It is one of the few places I can take my family to relax and actually relax. Both in the park area and around the seminary building.

We can eadily turn it into a community center similar to the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford if you need to cover costs. Or just tear it down rather than privatize it. This park must remain public for all future generations. I want my daughter to be able to take her kids there.

Who voted for artificial turf and lighting at St. Edward Park? Dam, those Saint Edward Bat’s full speed ahead? Then who voted to spend $5 million of the cities approximately 11 million annual budget on a baseball field in a State Park? Yes, off into a wetlands setback area no less. This place is not about fences, synthetic grass or light polls around a forested edged field. Get a grip on the natural setting. Enjoy it.
Then relax.

All eyes are on Lake Washington’s north shore wherein 2015 environmental standards are mere history. Kenmore residents are relying more now than ever on exemplary leadership who demonstrate the utmost respect for our unique and fragile ecosystem as we develop.

Find my RSVP for Event Name

Successfully RSVP-ed for Event Name

Successfully updated RSVP for Event Name

{"codes":{"err":"Required fields missing","err2":"Invalid email address","err3":"Please select RSVP option","err4":"Could not update RSVP, please contact us.","err5":"Could not find RSVP, please try again.","err6":"Invalid Validation code.","err7":"Could not create a RSVP please try later.","err8":"You can only RSVP once for this event.","err9":"Your party size exceed available space.","err10":"Your party size exceed allowed space per RSVP.","succ":"Thank you for submitting your rsvp","succ_n":"Sorry to hear you are not going to make it to our event.","succ_m":"Thank you for updating your rsvp","succ_c":"Great! we found your RSVP!"}}